What exactly is the SAAB 900 "SPG / Special Performance Group"?

All SPGs produced had the following in common: US Market only, 3 door hatchback, turbocharged/intercooled 16v B202L engine (power output varied slightly by year, latest years of SPG had higher outputs than garden-variety 900 Turbo models), 5 speed transmission, leather interior, power windows & sunroof, fog lights, power mirrors, heated seats (fully optioned interiors).

WHEELS: Unique-to-SPG 3 spoke Aero 15x5.5 alloy wheels

AERO KIT STYLING: SPG's featured unique contrasting color "aero" lower body kit and bumper extensions. Early 1985 models (produced in late '84 - early '85) had a satin black aero kit. Later 1985 through 1991 models had satin Anthracite (176) aero kit (a nice contrast to exterior colors). Beginning in 1988, SPG option received slightly wider textured black plastic fender flares.

BADGE DELETE: SPG's had no side-of hood turbo badges or "900 Turbo" badges on the right rear -- the ultimate "stealth" SAAB. SPGs came with the SAAB logo and roundel on left rear of the car. And of course the small SAAB emblem in the center of the grille.

COLOR SHEME: Specific color combinations depending upon year.
1985 - Black (170B) w/ Tan leather (color code = ?)
1986 - Edwardian Grey Metallic (204B) w/ Buffalo Grey leather (E33)
1987 - Edwardian Grey Metallic (204B) w/ Buffalo Grey leather (E33)
1988 - Edwardian Grey Metallic (204B) or Black (170) w/ Buffalo Grey leather (E33)
1989 - Edwardian Grey Metallic (204B) or Black (170) w/ Buffalo Grey leather (E33)
1990 - Edwardian Grey Metallic (204B) , Black (170) or Talladega Red (219) w/ Buffalo Grey leather (E33)
1991 - Black (170), Talladega Red (219) or Beryl Green Metallic (215G) w/ Buffalo Grey leather (E33)

HANDLING: 1985-1987 SPGs had stock 900 Turbo suspensions. 1985 SPGs had front & rear roll bars, all 900 Turbos had these roll bars starting in 1986. Beginning in 1988, SPG option included recalibrated/stiffer shocks and lower/stiffer springs. Later SPGs had V-rated tires (regular 900 Turbos were H rated), although I'm not 100% sure what year this began. These SPGs have unique drivers side visor sticker indicating that only V rated tires may be used.

REST OF THE WORLD - THE "AERO" PACKAGE: European and ROW (rest of world) markets did get "Aero" model designations but this was essentially just aerodynamic lower body cladding/kit like an SPG and the SPG Aero wheels (together known as the "aero" kit). The SPG option was only available on 3 door 900 Turbo models from 1985 - 1991 in the US market. SAAB produced 3 door hatchbacks, 4 door sedans, 2 door sedans for other European and ROW (rest of world) markets with the same body kit/wheel combo as US-market SPGs, but they weren't the "Special Performance Group" option andthus, these cars (although cool), aren't SPGs. Aero kits were not just limited to special colors also (ie like the SPG). In these markets, the aerodynamic "aero kit" was available on a wider range of models, not just the highest-powered, highest-contented c900s. Thus, you'll see references in Europe and the UK to T16S Aero models (the highest powered full pressure turbos, thus the T16S is sort of the Euro SPG), T16 Aeros, T8 Aeros (yes, you could get the aero kit on an 8 valve turbo) and 900 LPT Aeros (light pressure turbos). Many of these cars were decontented, non-catalyst, didn't have leather, sunroof, etc; however, the "aero" grey body panels on these overseas cars are EXACTLY the same as the SPG body panels on US cars.

DIDN'T SAAB SELL "AERO/ACCESSORY" KITS IN THE US ALSO? SAAB USA, via the accessory catalogue, sold a set of front and rear bumpers + side panels that they called the AIRFLOW kit. Well, it was called the airflow kit up until around '85 or '86, when I think they changed the nomenclature to "aerodynamic body styling kit". The earliest "Airflow" kits actually looked similar, but were entirely different than the SPG panels (generally these were sold from 1983 to 1985 or so). I'll dig up a picture, these earliest kits even included a cool piece that fit underneath the rear black rubber bumper. The later (87 and up) kits were more like SPG kits: The bodyside claddings between the wheels (ie 3 panels on each side) were the same as the SPG panels, but shipped unpainted so that owners could choose to paint to either match car's body or contrast in some way. The front and rear bumpers from these kits are entirely different from the regular c900 / SPG bumpers, and are highly sought after accessories today. Most refer to them as "airflow" bumpers.

WASN'T THERE A CONVERTIBLE? SAAB produced a limited number of special edition convertibles in both 1988 and 1991 with the aero wheels and body kit similar to SPG models. These 1988 models were designated "Springtime in Sweden" and were only available in Black exterior w/ Buffalo Grey leather. The 1991 models were available in Platana Grey exterior/Buffalo Grey interior or Monte Carlo Yellow/Buffalo Grey Leather Interior. Note: several folks have tried swapping standard SPG body kits to their convertibles. Most of the panels are the same with the exception of the rear bumper flares and the rear bumper. Remember that convertibles are based not on the 3 door design, but the 2 door with trunk. Hence the slight difference in these rear panels. Note: The 3 door rear bumper extensions will actually fit with slight modification. So, technically not "SPGs"... but very cool cars in and of themselves.

ADDITIONS & CHANGES BY MODEL YEAR OF THE SPG

MY 1985:
First year of SPG option - 160 HP (same as 900T models)
Black aero kit changes to anthracite early in MY
Only tan/black color combination available
Normal 900 Turbo suspension with added f & r sway bars
Note: no side indicator repeaters on front fenders this year
MY 1986:
Edwardian Grey Metallic Clearcoat is the only color offered for 1986
Front brakes get vented rotors (all 900T models)
Front fender side indicator repeaters & highmount rear stoplight added (all c900 models)
MY 1987:
Restyled front & rear bumpers, headlights, grilles (all c900 models)
SPG models now 165 HP (tweaks to APC system)
MY 1988:
Black re-introduced to SPG models
Wider fender flares introduced. Note: aero kit is exactly the same.
New hubs on both front and rear to share brake components and wheels with 9000 models (all c900 models)
Brakes are much improved and parking brake moves to rear wheels (instead of front wheels -- all c900 models)
Water cooled Garrett turbocharger introduced (all 900T models)
Heated side mirrors added to 900S, 900T and 900 SPG models
Most 1988 3 door models have rear window with rubber plug for rear wiper option, few actually receive rear wiper in US market though
Dashboard top now thicker by a few mm
Interior light moved from drivers side to center of headliner
Manufacturer ID markings on side windows changed from white script to black script (note: some later 87 models seem to be included in this change)
MY 1989:
Safety improvements: 3 door SPGs had "passive restraint" motorized seatbelts w/ revised headliner & 9000 style seat mounts. Also revised knee bolster.
Front headrests have additional stitching like 9000 model headrests (not all SPGs had this from what I can tell, it was only certain passive belt cars, cosmetic only)
3 spoke leather steering wheel & shifter boot standard on SPG model
MY 1990:
Talladega Red added, Edwardian Grey deleted
ATE ABS braking system standard (all c900 models)
Driver's side airbag added (all c900 models)
Seat style went back to earlier style 900 mounts for one year only with deletion of passive motorized seatbelts. Knee bolster remained revised.
SPG only receives new Mitsubishi TE05-16G water cooled turbocharger that spools up at lower RPMs.
Turbo + a recalibrated APC computer bumps output slightly to 175 HP (regular 900T still 160HP for US market)
Grey fabric on door panels & piping on door panels changed from light grey to darker grey (all c900 models w/ Buffalo Grey interiors)
Front seatbelt anchors raised slightly for improved crash safety, forcing deletion of black A pillar grab handles (all c900 3 door models)
Interior windshield pillar trim clips revised for cleaner look (all c900 models)
Rear interior side panels lose a horizontal line for cleaner look (all c900 models)
SPG models receive EGR system to pass emissions (subject to many recalls)
Fuel tank capacity increased from 16.6 to 18 gallons (all c900 models)
MY 1991:
Beryl Green Metallic Clearcoat added
Front seats now 9000 style (sharing mountings with 9000's).
Narrower center console, seat belt anchors mounted to seat rather than floorpan
125 mph speedometer is now a 140 mph speedometer (SPG models only)
Headlight wiper washer system on all c900's in US market
SPG's and 900 T's received a small "turbo" emblem on the grille.

Upgrades